KIWI PRO WATCH: CAMBO FINISHES TIED 17TH IN ABU DHABI

21/01/2013

Former US Open champion Michael Campbell has begun 2013 in promising fashion with a tie for 17that the Abu Dhabi Championship on the European Tour.

Cambo, who began the final round in a share of ninth place, carded an even par 72 at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club to finish on a seven under par total, seven shots back from the winner Welshman Jamie Donaldson.

The New Zealand Golf Hall of Fame member made 25,658 Euros ($41,000) in his first week on tour and is in a share of 59thplace in the early stages of the Race to Dubai Standings.

It is a continuation of the comeback to form he showed in 2012 where he recorded a third place finish in Portugal and a tie for eighth in Hong Kong.

The 43-year-old has fought his way back to his best and is still looking for his first victory since the World Match Play at Wentworth in 2005.

Paddison and Long finish tied 17that Victoria PGA

Kiwi professionals Gareth Paddison and Michel Long have finished in a share of 17thplace at the Victorian PGA Championship.

Wellington professional Paddison, who was the defending champion, carded a one under par 71 in the final round at the Forest Resort in Crestwick to finish on an even par total.

Meanwhile the Australian-based Long faded in the final round with a four over par 75 to also finish even par for the week. The Kiwi pair was 13 shots back from Australian winner David McKenzie.

The other Kiwis in the field were off the pace. Pieter Zwart finished tied 31st, David Klein was in a share of 38thand Ryan Fox finished tied 42nd.

Pearce wins NZ PGA Q School

Rookie professional Daniel Pearce played steady golf to card a 73 n the final round of the New Zealand PGA Q School and win the medallist honours.

The former New Zealand amateur rep, who had opened with rounds of 76 and 71 at the Centennial Course of Taupo Golf Club, finished on a four over par for the three round event, two in front of Auckland’s Fraser Wilkin.

The Centennial Course proved to be a tough test for the competitors and the weather was very changeable throughout the final round.

Wilkin, a former member of the Srixon Academy, had rounds of 72, 72 and 78 in the final round to finish on a six over par total for the week.

The Muriwai Open champion battled through the front nine at five over par and dropped another shot on the 10th. He made three bogeys and three birdies in his final eight holes for a 78 to hold off Wellington’s Jonny Dittmer

(72, 74, 77) and Omokoroa’s Ben Taylor (75,74, 74) by just one shot.

On a day when the average score was just under 78 Mathew Perry of Hamilton dropped away with an 80 but was good enough to secure his card. And Tony Christie recorded a 73 which saw him jump into the exempt ranks.

A total of 11 professionals, with six newcomers to the ranks, secured their cards for the 2012 NZ PGA season.